Posted in BCBS Empire NY, NY Providers, Pharmacy (Various Insurance Payers), Training, Updates

BCBS (NY): HIV medication combinations may require Prior Auth, 05/01/2021

Effective 05/01/21 and for the DOS thereafter, BCBS (Empire) NY, will implement a new prior authorization for HIV medications/drugs. This would help to ensure that the patients are not receiving therapeutic duplications when taking certain combinations.

In order for the Member to continue to receive the treatment that involves drug combinations, the provider must submit an authorization for EACH Drug and provide a MEDICAL NECESSITY rationale as to why that drug combination is clinically needed.

Combinations that are considered clinical duplicates are based on drug mechanism of action (MOA) and developed in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HIV Guidelines.

Examples of HIV drug combinations that would trigger duplicated drug combinations:

Providers and members expected to be impacted by this policy will receive advanced notice by mail.

Source: BCBS (NY) Providers Communications: March 2021

Posted in BCBS Empire NY, NY Providers, Training, Updates

Empire BCBS (NY) Changes to AIM Small Joint Surgery Guideline for 2021

Reminder: as of 11/01/2020 IM Specialty Health® (AIM) began administering the AIM Musculoskeletal program to perform medical necessity reviews for certain elective surgeries of the small joints using AIM clinical guidelines for Empire BlueCross BlueShield (“Empire”) fully insured members and some ASO groups.   

Effective 03/14/2021, the following changes will be made to the Small Joint Surgery Guidelines:

  • Clarified requirements for imaging reports.
  • Removed radiographic requirement for confirmation of lesser toe deformities.
  • Ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty added as new indications for revision of failed previous reconstructions.
  • Removed total ankle arthroplasty requirements for adjacent joint or inflammatory arthritis.
  • Clarified contraindications only apply to total ankle arthroplasty.

How to request an authorization:

  • Access AIM ProviderPortalSM directly at providerportal.com. Online access is available 24/7 to process orders in real-time, and is the fastest and most convenient way to request authorization.
  • Access AIM via the Availity Portal at availity.com
  • Call the AIM toll-free number at 1-877-430-2288, Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 7 pm ET.

For further questions, please contact the provider number on the back of the member ID card.

Posted in BCBS Empire NY, Pharmacy (Various Insurance Payers), Training, Updates

Empire BCBS (NY) Specialty Pharmacy Changes updates for 2021

Reminder #1:

  1. Empire BlueCross BlueShield’s (“Empire”) pre-service clinical review of non-oncology specialty pharmacy drugs will be managed by Empire’s medical specialty drug review team.
  2. Oncology drugs will be managed by AIM Specialty Health (AIM), a separate company.

New Clinical Criteria effective December 22, 2020

The following clinical criteria is new.

  • ING-CC-0184 Danyelza (naxitamab-gqgk)

New Clinical Criteria effective June 1, 2021

The following clinical criteria is new.

  • ING-CC-0185 Oxlumo (lumasiran)

Revised Clinical Criteria Effective 12/22/2020:

The following current clinical criteria were revised to expand medical necessity indications or criteria.

  • ING-CC-0124 Keytruda (pembrolizumab)

Revised Clinical Criteria effective January 25, 2021

The following current clinical criteria were revised to expand medical necessity indications or criteria.

  • ING-CC-0002 Colony Stimulating Factor Agents
  • ING-CC-0015 Infertility and HCG Agents
  • ING-CC-0032 Botulinum Toxin
  • ING-CC-0154 Givlaari (givosiran)

Revised Clinical Criteria effective January 25, 2021

The following clinical criteria were reviewed with no significant change to the medical necessity indications or criteria.

  • ING-CC-0079 Strensiq (Asfotase Alfa)
  • ING-CC-0177 Zilretta (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release)

Revised Clinical Criteria effective June 1, 2021

The following current clinical criteria were revised and might result in services that were previously covered but may now be found to be not medically necessary.

  • ING-CC-0032 Botulinum Toxin
  • ING-CC-0154 Givlaari (givosiran)

Reminder #2:

Effective June 12, 2021, Empire BCBS NY will be implementing coding updates in the claims system for the following clinical criteria listed below which may result in not medically necessary determinations for certain services.

  • ING-CC-0066 Monoclonal Antibodies to Interleukin-6

To view the complete policies, please visit the following links:

  1. Danyelza
  2. Oxlumo
  3. Keytruda
  4. Colony Stimulating Factor Agents
  5. Infertility and HCG Agents
  6. Botulinum Toxin
  7. Givlaari
  8. Strensiq
  9. Zilretta